Thursday, February 28, 2013

Knowing he is retiring from the Holy See to spend his days in prayer, will remind us to keep him always in our prayers.

We were so hopeful for his election in 2005. We were hopeful he would bless the traditional Catholic community, which he promptly did with the Motu proprio on the Latin mass, giving the rite the legitimacy it always had, but with papal approval.

He hasn't had a long term, but he has had a profound impact on the Church in our time, which will become known to the ages.

God bless him and keep him.

From our visit in 2009, Craig couldn't get the camera to operate until just after the Holy Father blessed us and passed us.
Blurry and all, I still treasure this picture.

Nicholas and Max were able to find seats up front, this is the view we had front the back railing. The railing lined the popemobile pathway, so we had to make a choice to be up close during his blessing or a closer chance on railing.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

To thee, O blessed Joseph,
do we have recourse in our tribulation, and, having implored the help of thy most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke thy patronage also.
By that charity wherewith thou wast united to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God,
and by that fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus,
we beseech thee and we humbly pray, that thou wouldst look graciously upon the inheritance which Jesus Christ hath purchased by His Blood, and assist us in our needs by thy power and strength.
Most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ;
keep far from us, most loving father, all blight of error and corruption:
mercifully assist us from Heaven, most mighty defender, in this our conflict with the powers of darkness;
and, even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the supreme peril of His life, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
keep us one and all under thy continual protection, that we may be supported by thine example and thine assistance, may be enabled to lead a holy life, die a happy death and come at last to the possession of everlasting blessedness in Heaven. Amen.

Partial Indulgence.

We commend the success of our parish and its future capital campaign and
construction into the hands of St. Joseph, Protector of the Universal Church,
and ask for novena prayers for his intercession.
Sancte Joseph, ora pro nobis.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

I am praying for..all the hard working mommies, a productive Lent, our Holy Father's final week, and the coming conclave and for a renewal of the American dream among native born Americans.

I am thankful...for all the graces and gifts I take for granted. And for a hard working husband who loves me.

I am creating...note cards: a good use for Lilly's finger painting artwork.

I am going...to celebrate a birthday of an 8 year old girl.

I am wondering...where this cold came from that has Lilly yelling and kicking in her sleep, at the intervals of the right length for me to fall back asleep just before the next wave hits.

I am reading.. Daugherty's Magna Charta, several books on Leonardo da Vinci with the kids, and for me, I just finished To Be Sung Underwater by Thomas McNeal. I didn't put it down, real characters, more racy than my usual read, but a good fiction to jump into.

I am thinking....about how happy, blessed and fortunate my life has been since I married my high school sweetheart. The book I finished was filled with regret of life's choices over what could have been.

I am hoping...the kids learn a little friendly competition. I refreshed the little kids board games cabinet. They need to practice to learn: you don't always have to win, sometimes luck is in the draw, the time together is what is important, it's never ok to cheat. And their mom is stealthy at Battleship placement.

I am pondering...why a raccoon is out during the middle of the day, could it be treed by the dogs and doesn't have anywhere to go, or could it be rabies? At least it is high up in the tree. Euly's eyesight sure is keen.

he's looking down at us

A favorite quote/verse/prayer for today...from Molly's history book exert from Cato's Letters:

"Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom,

and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech."

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Doctor for Molly, scouts, park days, regular class schedule. Nothing too exciting except Craig's weekend should be celebrated as his birthday weekend, and there is a chance Max may come home after a bunch of midterms.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Okay, late again. I didn't leave the house yesterday to find any interesting architecture. And living in a suburb, of a suburb, of a suburb, the only architecture around here is found in homes, and I do love keeping up with local real estate, I wanted to find something better, more inspiring.

I have had Rome on my mind these past couple weeks, and first thought of something from our trip to the Forum...

or this...

but then remembered and found these from 2009: the Holy Steps.

pardon the reflection, it was taken from the bus

The bus stop we found ourselves dropped at to change buses most days was in front of St. John Lateran's. The most interesting building off to our left kept drawing our attention. It was beautiful on the outside, great statues towering on the roof, but from the hustle and bustle and continuous bus loads of nuns excitedly disembarking, it must house something incredible. It wasn't until a stop with just me and Max found the opportunity to peek inside. Ah, the Holy Steps!

The Holy Stairs

"According to tradition, Jesus had to climb 28 stairs to the throne of Pontius Pilate where he was condemned to death. Those steps were later found in Jerusalem and brought to Rome. People began to climb these "Holy Stairs" (as they were called) on their knees, praying and meditating on the Passion of Jesus. The 28 stairs that begin here may be used for the same purpose."

1
Let's start with a PSA:
IBC - ever heard of it?
Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Just be aware that not all breast cancers can be discovered through mammograms. A sign can be a bug bite on the breast that doesn't heal. It can hit young women and can be lethal. This is a short video featuring a homeschooling friend of mine who battled this mostly unknown type of breast cancer and is trying to get the word out to help other woman be aware and help educate their doctors of this disease.
2
I'm revamping my First Communion Sunday school crafts and need any ideas to encourage a love and understanding of the Holy Eucharist. Do you have any favorite activities that help things click with your kids when prepping for this most blessed sacrament? Please share in comments!
3
My daughter, newly licensed to drive, took the car to her college classes all by her lonesome, leaving me without a car, no excuse not to get a full day of school in with her siblings. We did, and then we started rearranging the schoolroom. Having the tv off for lent, we get so much more done. But I wonder how do we end up having so much "potential" curriculum scattered about in addition to actual school we do? I have so many good resources but the kids don't have the time or attention span for all I want to keep stuffing in. Focus and restraint is what is needed!
4
It's weird to go out to the garage and not see my car waiting for me. It also gives me weird impulses of "don't I really need to go to the store?" or "what if I need to suddenly run someone to the hospital?" I like to have an escape route. We somehow made it safely through the first day despite my crazy impulses.
5
I had a great day of good info via texts: Molly got a 92 on a history test, and thought she did really well on her math test. Then Max said he got a 100 on his differential equations test, and Craig texted good news about his job. So, it made me happy despite being stuck at home all day, at least others were enjoying and succeeding in the outside world.
6
I wonder if I'll be this crazy every time she drives away. I said a prayer to her Guardian Angel and feel comfort knowing the State of Texas says she's good enough to be on the streets in my car.Yes, that was sarcasm.
Letting kids grow up: it is hard and nice at the same time. Now I have help running errands, and she has more freedom. This young lady was my little girl just a few blinks ago; is it the independent driving or the whole concept of her growing up I'm having trouble with?
6.5
Molly texted me (from upstairs) that it was snowing in Venice. A random piece of information, except I know she left a big piece of her heart in Venice. Here she is fresh off the train from Florence on to a water taxi, falling immediately in love with this mysteriously magical place.

October 2009

I found this blog with lots of beautiful pictures of a snowy Venice.
Maybe she'll have her dream of visiting again, and no worries for me, she won't have to drive there.Yes, sorry, more sarcasm.
7
Molly and I decided to join my sisters in a glutton gluten free diet. We aren't being as strict as some who have specific health concerns, but with so many allergic to wheat in my family, we know it couldn't hurt. We also decided to stop dairy, as she has some asthma warning signs (we go to the doctor on Monday). I not a big meat eater, I usually supplement daily with bread, I sometimes find myself stumped on what to eat. We have been having fun with meal planning, just trying to use other grains when needed. I'm not a fan of pancakes made of other substances than wheat (at this point), and I have successfully avoided eating pancakes when making for the other kids in the house who still want to eat glutton gluten.
Stupid spell check - how many times a day I mutter that?!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

I used these in my Sunday post, but these are the prettiest from my week and brought contentment. Our new parish was given 40 acres on which to build our church by a sweet Texas lady. She is a very special person, who shares a kindred, animal loving, hard working spirit with Euly. The 40 acres have been part of a ranch going back to when Texas was its own little ole country. It's a special place especially being located to close into Houston. Some of the animals remain on the property as it is slowly being transformed from overgrown pastures to a cleared future building site by hard working parishioners and our dedicated priest. The girls and I showed up late for the Saturday work day and had the pleasure of playing with newborn (less than a week old) baby lambs.

Father sharing a baby lamb with Lilly

{happy}

My first attempt at making a scapular, inspired from Under Her Starry Mantle.
I am happy with the first run, and learned things I need to do on my second attempt. Ceci loved it and being recently enrolled, she wanted to wear it immediately (which makes me very happy).

{funny}

I now have another driver in my house, Molly passed her drivers test (including parallel parking)! Today, the girls thought of something they needed and Molly quickly volunteered to run them to the store. It is hard to give her wings, but she has proved herself to be a safe driver so far. I think I will have a helper anytime I need any quick errand run. Will the excitement wear off?

just returning from first outing without me.

{real}

Lilly decided she wanted to finger paint when she saw some paint in an old art cabinet. She doesn't like to get her fingers dirty, so she used a brush. I liked this close up of the paints she used:

She enjoyed the process and sang little songs while she painted...

Once the page was mostly covered, she declared her masterpiece complete. I think it will take a few days to dry.

I wonder how often it happens that the painting and the pallet look almost identical.

It looks like she used kitchen condiments, but I didn't want to mention it to her.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

If you would like to sign up for daily reminders to add your prayers as a parting/retirement/thanksgiving gift for Our Holy Father, go here or Join Opus Bono Sacerdotii on facebook to send a farewell message:

Day 1 - Novena Prayers for Pope Benedict

Heavenly father, Your Providence guides the Church and the successor to St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI. May he be protected at all times from spiritual attacks so that he may lead Your Church to greater holiness and unity through your Holy Spirit.

3200 Encouraging words from afar.
3199 Forgiveness.
3198 Reading beautiful blog post and link incredible poem on raising kids with special needs.
3197 Pushing Cc to find it in her to do her best.
3196 Trading one hassle for a new worry: hard letting Molly have her wings.
3195 Fighting sisters making up
3194 Little baby snores
3193 Houston weather, if you don't like it, wait 5 minutes and it will change. Beautiful days separated by stormy thunderstorm days. Nice to see the sun.
3192 Bulbs poking up and new little green leaves already starting to look like spring.
3191 Unfailing loyal nature of our dogs
3190 "Want to watch The Office with me?" - Molly
3189 Passing Nick and Euly on bike even tho they were winning. Great to see their smiles.
3188 Friends and sisters to pick up where we left off.
3187 80's radio station playing favorite after favorite.
3186"Life's been good to me so far." on radio.
3185 found pics of Rome on new to me phone , traded w hubbie

3184 Molly's friends sharing her joy.
3183 Lilly to Lily gift, makes me happy.
3182 Getting to use Craig's faster phone.
3181 Concentrating on her health.
3180 Doses of humility, good timing for Lent.
3179 Big kids being able to just be kids, fun to watch them relax and let down their guard.
3178 Traci brought kids for visit, talking through pressing issues.
3177 I owe apology to DPS - the lines moved quickly and efficiently.
3176 Molly passed her driver's test, no problem.
3175 Lilly snickle doodle poodle (she's pretending she's a dog).
3174 Friends who are able to help with my kids when hubbie's boss call last minute meeting.
3173 Hard accepting everyone isn't going to like me, even people I admire.
3172 Dinner party invite.
3171 Lovin' on Lenten lambs
3170 Kids having fun
3169 Nick's birthday weekend
3168 "Get them off video games and they'll thank you in heaven." - Father F
3167 Veggie Tales' Thankful Song:

I thank God for this day,

For the sun in the sky,

For my mom and my dad,

For my piece of apple pie!

For our home on the ground.

For His love that's all around,

That's why I say thanks everyday!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!

I'm glad for what I have,

That's an easy way to start!

For the love that He shares,

'Cause He listens to my prayers,

That's why I say thanks everyday!

3166 Inspiration from a well loved aunt just starting to train for Iron Man when she was 59, just because she is thankful that she could. Only 5 out of 1100 over 60 years old compete. Excited to learn another aunt will be competing too!

3165 Coyote scared off easily, Chills of warning over my entire body.

3164 Nick's 14!

3163 Sweet aunt Mar surprising Nick at birthday dinner.

3162 "Do you know the muffin man...?" - Nick

3161 "Don't leave her or she will learn that she doesn't need you sooner that she is ready." - Max

3160 Overheard Cc on phone call with grandmother;

"My dad makes this really yummy strawberry cake....

oh, ... you mean, all my dad's good recipes come form you?"

Yup!

3159 Craig rejuvenated with youth and talking cars together

3158 A good book to read, and then fining the next in the series on kindle.

3157 Cc:" Euly, you are amazing."

3156 "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return."

3155 Saint John Vianney:

"Prayer is to our soul what rain it to the soil.
Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains."

3154"Sorry Cc." "I forgive you."

3153 Liberty and revolutionary stories of selling the "Liberty" concept.

3152 Getting the hang of manual settings.

3151 Resolving not to waste those days anymore.

3150 A sweet touch.

3149 Nick enjoying learning about Magna Carta, especially referencing to the time of Robin Hood.

3148 Cc & Lilly happily playing together.

3147 A box of dresses from zulily to delight the girls.

3146 Homemade valentines.

3145 "The gates of hell will not prevail against it."

3144 Pope Benedict XVI

3143 A Room With A View

"Don't you agree that, on one's first visit to Florence, one must have a room with a view?"

Yes, I do agree.

Our room with a view room in Florence 2009.

3142 RWAV's Mr. Emerson:

"I don't care what I see outside. My vision is within.

Here is where the birds sing! Here is where the sky is blue."

3141 "Sure my guess me do." Lilly's affirmative answer.

3140 Thankful my mother encouraged playing dress up.

3139 Lilly insisting her sister give her her nose back.

3138 Ferris Bueller:

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

3137 Muddy bike ride with the girls; always an adventure

3136 "You're pretty." No! I'm Lilly."

3135 Country dances

3134 Afternoon to crochet

3133 Nico's jeans

3132 Memorizing dates on history timeline along with Molly

3131 "Be nice to Sheila, she special me." - Lil

3130 Rain forest museum rediscovered again twenty years later

3129 Voltaire:

"I disapprove of what you say,
but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

3128 Saint Francis of Assisi:

"Offer your bodies and take up His Holy Cross and follow His most holy commands, even to the end."

3127 Mahatma Gandhi:

"You must not lose faith in humanity.
Humanity is an ocean, if a few drops of the ocean are dirty. the ocean does not become dirty."

3126 Gandhi:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

3125 Rememebering to take the vitamins forgetting they cause insomnia

3124 On the rebound. :)

3123 "Here me am." - Lil

3122 From Great Glory movie:

"There is no greater glory than to give your life for Christ."

3121 I love wearing my Toms. all.the.time.

3120 Homemade tootsie rolls

3119 A very productive Monday

3118 Teaching study habits, utilizing flash cards = done

3117 Robin Hood = done

3116 Sewing project = done

3115 '12 Taxes = done

3114 Psalm 50:9 Asperges me

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow.

3113 "You are acting like something starts with a G and ends with an L.."

...Jealous...? (Gotta get the spelling books out again stat.)lol

3112 Lilly: "Guess what? My cake, my birthday cake,,, a lion."

I need to make a note to remember for her birthday.

3111 Molly to Cc because she is being a picky eater: "You're being a Euly."

Euly: "Yea, ... and I usually am."

3110 Sunday afternoon nap

3109 Sister visits loving our conversations, then laughing when we noticed everyone else had left the room

3108 "Are you my sunshine and sweetness?"

"No, not sunshine, not 'eetness, me Lilly."

3107 Heart to heart grown up talks

3106 Craig helping Nick shop for bday and how he calls to let me know their progress

3105 Molly's initiative that caused a chain reaction to a trimmed up front lawn

3104 Spicy smell of wild onions, stirred up while weeding

3103 Hair the color of spun gold

3102 A working vacuum

3101 Cc: " You already know the story how I practically almost had a heart attack..."

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Paintball is a great physical activity. It gets kids outside, running, strategizing, working together with a team. They are having so much fun they wouldn't think it is exercise. Watching is almost as fun as playing. I know some would object looking at the pictures and think, it is violent, they are shooting at each other. But it is all in good fun. Kids naturally play cops/robbers from young ages, this just gives them more tools. It is a fun activity. We play at a public course, not knowing who you might get on your team. Mostly men, but good hearted, team working good guys out to have fun with their friends, but not so much they run over or exclude other ages. They split up in teams, picked by a captain. The public course (versus at home play) is structured, with referees to ensure fair play and safety rules followed. The equipment must be secured, eye protection worn. Many people had more body armor than I've seen before today, but couldn't do more than layering with a few more shirts.

It is good family fun.

great new stories of experiences to share....

wishing she was old enough to play...

she is happy she finally is old enough to join in....

Words I wish I could imprint on your heart in honor of your birthday:

You are my stirring hope for the future.

You are God's plan to renew the culture.

You can and will do great things because you have a good heart,

persistent hope,

enduring strength,

inspiring ideas,

and a contagious joy for life.

You light others up by your attitude for life.

You have courage that will face lions and demons and stand firm in your faith to light the way for others.

You will lead others by your decisions whether you notice other people or not.

You can do anything and should do all you can.

Do not hide your talents.

Do not waste your opportunities.

Do live your life and it will be a life well lived.

I amproudto know you,

honored to walk in this life with you,

and humbled to be your mother.

Your good qualities are God given, not mother taught.

Forgive my failures and rash words; forgive all injuries others do to you.

Our weekend started off the celebration for Nicks birthday. He wanted to go to a restaurant called the Potato Patch which offers a variety of fried foods but it's in claim to fame and call to Nick, was the muffin and roll man who walks around with hot fresh out of the oven yeast rolls and chocolate chip muffins and he throws it at you- professional baseball pitcher style- if you dare to have eye contact with him. I avoided his eye but had plenty rolls buzz by my head to hit or miss one of the adventurers at my table.

I am thankful...
Aunt Marilyn stopped by for a surprise visit to wish Nick a happy birthday. He was surprised and delighted she took the time to stop in, especially when he learned she was to get up at 4:30 for her Iron Man training. That's right, she started training for the Iron Man competition just this last year, just. because. she. could! She is such an inspiration! She has always stayed in good shape, but after attending an Iron man with some of her friends competing last year, she thought she'd go for it and has made herself run, swim and ride a bike with incredible results. The competition is April. A cool front came in Friday night and she started her 4:30 to full day of training at 34 degrees. Iron woman!
Swim, bike, run. Burr. Go Mar!

I am reading...
Mirror, Mirror on the wall...I finished reading two fun books this week, fast fun reads with fairy tale mixed in with teenage relationships. First one I found on another blog recommended free through amazon, Unenchanted and it finished unexpectedly, 'cause reading a book in my phone I can't tell I'm coming to the end until it ends unlike a real hold in your hands book, so I found the second, Fairest, on amazon and inhaled it, just as good as the first and third is not yet available. Not deep, very teenagey, but fun reading.

I am watching...
I had time this week to watch a movie before my Lenten sacrifice of the tv screen took affect and watched A Room With A View 1986 version based on my sisters recommendation. It was delightful, with an adorable Helena Bonhan Carter and a very metrosexual Daniel Day Lewis, and an uptight Maggie Smith. I was not warned of the male swimming scene and was watching with my 16 year old daughter when pop pop pop on the screen three males swimming in the buff, while my daughter was laughing her head off at me trying to scramble to figure how to fast forward on Netflix. It did have a slight more sensual feel than most English dramas but very well worth watching as a send off from tv, (Except late Sunday for the last Downton as Sunday isn't counted as a day of Lent).

I am going...
Craig and Nick worked at the church property Saturday morning while the girls and I ran errands. We stopped by to take pictures of the work and goings on. But what everyone excitedly told us to go do, was to try to catch and feed the newborn lambs.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
This next week includes a very busy Tuesday when Molly is scheduled to take the drivers test for her license. I am sure she'd appreciate a prayer for this long sought after prize. The biggest hurdle is taking it in my car. The car she will eventually be driving is still missing its engine. In the mean time she will be driving mine anyway, which makes me think it's appropriate to pass the test in it. It is a big car, which I don't even attempt parallel parking and I've driven it for 12 years. I failed that section back in my day and still passed overall, I hope she will do the same. She is practicing just the same.

In the kitchen...
The only happenings in my kitchen this weekend was the preparation of Nick's strawberry jello cake with cool whip, a favorite of Craig's and a favorite of most of my kids. It is the most requested birthday cake which does not require decorating. I don't know what it is about this cake, but it is refreshing and light. Maybe because we serve it cool from the refrigerator.
Molly did make a late Sunday chicken alfredo dinner that was delicious!

I am ranting thinking...
There was a conversation at a dinner party with another couple when husband was making a joke about how when his kids were small, he'd come home from a long, hard day at work, and right when he walked in the door, his wife would hand a unhappy baby in his hands. About that time he had come across a 1950's book about how a wife should greet her husband when she came home: with a drink and thirty minutes of silence. They joked how she had failed.

That 1950's concept of perfect husbands, wives and children really irks me. Maybe the 1850's, but the 1950's? They were masters of the facade, Beaver Cleaver's perfect home did not exist. Why does a husband need a drink to face his children in the evening? Wouldn't that lead to alcoholism, much less narcissism? They may have dressed stylishly more modest, but that generation gave us birth control, formula to feed our babies, intervention in birth, and eventually they would be the age of the justices that gave us Roe vs. Wade. Hmmm, not wanting to deal with the children?

Yes, I am defensive; yes, I have been that mother that desperately waited for my husband to come home in the evening, hand the baby, happy or not, into his arms, to have a moment to speak to an adult, to go to the bathroom in peace. Is that so bad to desire his company and assistance in helping raise his child? We don't live like families in the 50's with a grandma or an aunt living in the home ready to help. How is a husband showing his love to come home unable to show empathy for his wife's daily sacrifice without thirty minutes of silence and a drink?
Okay, I'm done.

A peek into my day...
Nicholas wanted to celebrate his birthday playing paintball with a couple of his good friends. He got it, and a beautiful day to play.

I am praying for..
a certain meeting to get done that should have been resolved a year ago, as well as another personal matter of stress that should have been resolved long ago. Finishing my 54 rosary novena this week, and getting ready to start another. There is a novena starting for the Holy Father to be completed on his last day, at praymorenovenas. Sign up with your email and your will receive daily reminders to pray.